Happy Birthday

I only wish it were a happier birthday for Aung San Suu Kyi who turned 61 today. May she soon have reason to celebrate. It doesn't seem likely, however:

The United States has since called for the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on Yangon, saying the "regime's activities and repression of political rights now poses a threat to stability, peace and security in the region."

But the U.S. initiative is likely to be strongly opposed by veto-wielding council members China and Russia, as well as by Japan, an elected member that lacks veto power.

South African Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu and former Czech President Vaclav Havel said "we are aware that Burma is not today's only hot issue," but the lack of international action gives regimes like Yangon "a sense of impunity."

Suu Kyi's latest stretch of detention began on May 30, 2003 after clashes between her supporters and pro-junta demonstrators.

Since then, she has been held virtually incommunicado, with her telephone line cut, her mail intercepted and visitors restricted to her house maid and doctor.

"Aung San Suu Kyi could spend the rest of her life in detention if the Security Council continues to avoid its responsibility to tackle the situation in Burma," Yvette Mahon, director of the Burma Campaign UK, said in a statement.

Don't look for much movement on this issue from Russia and China.